Graeme Smith wants to celebrate the 10th anniversary of an epic night in Florence by winning a League One winners’ medal in Fife today.

The Raith Rovers keeper can scarcely believe it will be a decade on Tuesday since he was part of the Rangers squad that made history by reaching the club’s first European final in 36 years.

Smith was on the bench on a dramatic night in Fiorentina’s Artemio Franchi Stadium when Nacho Novo’s spot-kick settled the penalty shoot-out after 210 goalless minutes over two legs.

An injury to Allan McGregor the previous month resulted in Neil Alexander stepping up to No.1 for a run-in as Walter Smith’s side chased an unprecedented quadruple.

And Smith was promoted to back-up keeper, taking his place on the bench for the UEFA Cup Final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.

Party time for Kevin Thomson (top) and Neil Alexander of Rangers as they celebrated beating Fiorentina to make the UEFA Cup final back in 2008

The 35-year-old made just one appearance in two seasons but admitted it was a dream to be at the club he grew up supporting.

His career has been a little bit different since then after moving to St Johnstone then going part-time at Peterhead where he left following relegation to League Two at the end of last season.

Smith, right, was signed in an emergency by Raith at the start of this season following an injury to Aaron Lennox and has battled it out for the No.1 jersey.

He is currently in possession going into a nailbiting final day with Barry Smith’s side a point ahead of Ayr – who take on relegation strugglers Albion Rovers – as they prepare to host Alloa at Stark’s Park.

Smith said: “It’s hard to believe it’s 10 years since Florence but it was a fantastic time in my career at the club I grew up supporting.

“To be involved in such high-profile games against the highest calibre clubs during that European run, both in the Champions League and UEFA Cup, was amazing.

“I look at the matchday programme sometimes when we’re playing away from home and when they focus on opposition they usually say something like, ‘Graeme started his career at Kilmarnock, went to Rangers and St Johnstone, blah, blah, blah’. And then there’s always this wee line, ‘Graeme was on the bench when Rangers reached the UEFA Cup Final’.

“And I always think to myself, ‘I’ve done more in my career than that’.

“The line from the TV commentator Peter Drury after Nacho converted the winning penalty was, ‘Manchester brace yourself – Rangers are coming’ and that summed it up.

“My pals have given me stick over the years because at the end everyone runs towards Nacho but when I get halfway there I spot Neil Alexander and went to him.

“We were written off in every round of that campaign but we always had big performances from big players like Davie Weir, Barry Ferguson and Carlos Cuellar.

“These guys had played about 60 games by the time the UEFA Cup Final came around and people forget that.

“I thought our chance had gone when Daniel Cousin was sent off in extra time in Florence.

“Up until then I always fancied us to nick a goal but Fiorentina didn’t change their style of play. If we’d been playing against 10 men we would have gone for the jugular but we managed to see it out comfortably.

A tearful Ally McCoist shares his joy with Brahim Hemdani

“I remember Barry Ferguson’s first penalty and I thought it was unbelievable – but it was an incredible save by Sebastian Frey.

“When your captain misses you think that’s it but Neil Alexander saved one then Christian Vieri stuck one over the bar and when wee Nacho scored it was pandemonium.

“I’m hoping it happens again in my lifetime but Rangers might never get to a European final again.

“It’s great memories with great people and hopefully I will get the chance to make more with another great bunch of boys at Raith.

“One thing we’ve got at Raith Rovers is great togetherness and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity to be successful.”

Smith is back at Rangers coaching kids and is considering making this his last season as a player.

Nacho Novo scored the penalty which sent Rangers through

If that is the case he would love to finish on a high before he hangs up his gloves by taking Raith to the Championship.

He said: “When I started out I didn’t think I’d be playing in five years’ time. But I’m coming to the end of my 19th season and hopefully it’s a successful one – and I might even move on to No.20 depending on how the body feels.

“I’ve done all my coaching badges and I’m working at the Rangers Academy so I haven’t decided whether I will keep on playing.

“If I don’t then there would be no better way to go out on a high by winning League One.

“I initially joined Raith Rovers on a short-term basis but I came in and did well and got plenty of clean sheets. I found myself out the team for a wee while but I’m back in now.

“I always said I’d like to play as long as I can until a coaching opportunity that comes up that is too good to turn down.

“I hope to keep playing but if not then there’s no better way to go out than winning the league.

Graeme Smith (left) and St Mirren's Gavin Reilly in an Irn Bru Cup match earlier this season

“If we were given this scenario three weeks ago when we were five points behind we’d have bitten your hand off for it.

“We’ve only lost five games and only Celtic and Man City have lost less in Britain. If Ayr weren’t in the league we’d have won it already and they’d be the same if we weren’t in it.

“I always thought it we’d go to the wire. We’re in the position where it’s in our own hands and it will be very tough but we’re at home and we’re grateful for that.

“It’s going to be nervy but that’s why people love football. It’s not great for managers and players but the fans love it.

“We’re hoping there won’t be a lot of drama but I’m sure there will be a few twists and turns.

“Everyone thought Celtic would win it last weekend but Neil Lennon and Hibs had other ideas.”

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